We met pretty unconventionally, during Covid when things were just cautiously opening back up. Earlier that week, one of my close friends met Brendon at a yoga studio and told me she thought we would get along really well. So I looked him up on Instagram - as you do. I can remember reading through his captions, liking posts, and thinking that he couldn’t possibly really think like this, and if he did - I was VERY interested in meeting him. It wasn’t long after that I got a DM from none other than “Sequellife_BP” himself! He says he loves my art and is interested in buying a piece and I’m like “yeah yeah, how about drinks?” 🤣 So we made plans to meet at a pub around the corner for that Friday. Yea I know, we weren’t wasting any time! I’m almost ready to leave, and my sitter calls and cancels on me…Parents can’t help either. I have this very strong feeling about Brendon and really don’t want to cancel our date. So I invite him over. (Remember! My friend had already met him!! I knew I wasn’t inviting a criminal over.) Ahem, let me take over from here … Yes, it’s true I slid into her DMs as the kids say 😏 and I have no regrets! I also want to point out that when she suggested our first date be at her house, I’m sure I was more worried than she was. Somehow she seems to have always known me and known that we should be. In fact I think she asked if it was weird or awkward… I immediately replied, YES! I remember I had just left work, it was raining and all I really wanted to do was go home and get comfy on the couch … maybe watch a movie. By the time I had gotten home I decided I might as well at least meet this girl who seems so comfortable and easy going. I text her when I got home and made a deal. I said I’ll come but can we just be comfortable, wear sweats and hang out?? Already on the same page, she agreed. So I threw on my sweats, grabbed some beer and headed over to this strangers house. 😜 Masks were optional but I opted to grab one just in case. Ya know, because strangers and COVID! **PREPARE FOR CHEESY MOMENT** I got out of the car and saw her standing on the doorstep with the front door gently cracked, nervously awaiting my arrival. As I approached the door, she said with a big smile and a twinkle in her eyes “I’m going to hug you now” to which I replied, “ ummm OK!” It was the magic moment I remember from those cheesy 80s movies. Instant connection. Instant comfort. Instant calm. Instant confirmation. The hug was “Welcome Home” in action form. We sat on the couch with no tv, music playing in the background and talked non stop. Around 3 or 4 am we forced ourselves to push pause. I had to find my way back to reality and go to work in a couple hours. Needless to say, it ended up being an incredible night! I think it was that first date where we both knew we wanted to make memories forever. We both realized in that moment what it truly feels like to be happy and whole!